Product manipulation tool

Abstract

A product manipulation tool for interacting with products and containers at, for example, a retail facility can include a securing mechanism to secure an exposed portion of the container with respect to a horizontal surface such as a shelf. The product manipulation tool can also include a stabilizing device to stabilize the container with respect to the horizontal surface prior to securing the container. The product manipulation tool can also include a support structure for insertion underneath the container to support the load. The stabilizing mechanism may lift or tilt the container prior to insertion of the support structure. In an example, the product manipulation tool may be disposed on a mobile unit configured for locomotion about the retail facility.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A product manipulation tool for an automated storage and retrieval machine comprising:
 a securing mechanism for securing an exposed portion of a container disposed on a horizontal surface; 
 an upper stabilizing device in the form of an inflatable bag positionable above the container for stabilizing the container with respect to the horizontal surface from above; and 
 and lower support structure for insertion underneath the container to support the load of the container. 
 
     
     
       2. The product manipulation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the securing mechanism is selected from the group comprising a gripper with bifurcated fingers, pincher clamp, a fluid pressure device with a suction cup, and a mating connector. 
     
     
       3. The product manipulation tool of  claim 2 , wherein the mating connector is a male connector configured to mate with an aperture in the exposed portion of the container. 
     
     
       4. The product manipulation tool of  claim 3 , wherein the male connector includes an inflatable tip to inflate within the aperture. 
     
     
       5. The product manipulation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the upper stabilizing device includes a compliant feature conformable to the container. 
     
     
       6. The product manipulation tool of  claim 5 , wherein the compliant feature is selected from the group comprising resilient foam, deformable plastic, a granular filled bag, and an inflatable bag. 
     
     
       7. The product manipulation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the lower support structure is longitudinally extendable and retractable from a lower base of the product manipulation tool. 
     
     
       8. The product manipulation tool of  claim 7 , wherein the lower support structure is selected from the group comprising a flat plate, a spatula, and a multi-tined fork. 
     
     
       9. The product manipulation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the securing mechanism and the stabilizing mechanism are vertically adjustable with respect to each other. 
     
     
       10. The product manipulation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the securing mechanism is longitudinally extendable with respect to the rest of the product manipulation tool. 
     
     
       11. The product manipulation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the product manipulation tool is configured to be fixedly attached to a distal end of a robotic arm. 
     
     
       12. A method of retrieving a container from a horizontal surface comprising:
 stabilizing the container with respect to the horizontal surface from above with an upper stabilizing device by inflating an inflatable bag extended over the container; 
 securing an exposed portion of the container with a securing mechanism; 
 tilting the container on the horizontal surface by raising the securing mechanism; 
 inserting a support structure between the container and the horizontal surface; and 
 supporting the load of the container with the support structure contacting the underside of the container. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of securing the container includes grasping a front panel of the container. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step grasping the front panel includes closing opposing first and second jaws of a gripper. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of securing the container includes mating a mating connector of the securing mechanism with an aperture disposed in the front panel. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of mating includes inflating an inflatable tip of the mating connector within the aperture. 
     
     
       17. An automated storage and retrieval machine for stocking and retrieving containers in a retail facility comprising:
 a mobile unit configured for locomotion about the retail facility; 
 a product manipulation tool disposed on the mobile unit, wherein the product manipulation tool includes:
 a stabilizing device in the form of an inflatable bag positionable above the container for stabilizing the container with respect to a horizontal surface prior to securing the container; 
 a securing mechanism for securing the container and tilting the container with respect to the horizontal surface; and 
 a support structure for insertion underneath the container to support the load of the container. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The automated storage and retrieval machine of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the stabilizing device is selected from the group comprising resilient foam, deformable plastic, a granular filled bag, and an inflatable tip; and 
 and the securing mechanism is selected from the group comprising a gripper with bifurcated fingers; and pincher clamp, a fluid pressure device with a suction cup, and a mating connector. 
 
     
     
       19. The automated storage and retrieval machine of  claim 17 , wherein the mobile unit includes a robotic arm and the product manipulation tool is disposed at the distal end of the robotic arm. 
     
     
       20. A product manipulation tool for an automated storage and retrieval machine comprising:
 a male connector adapted to be received in an aperture disposed into a front panel of a container, the male connector including an inflatable tip; 
 a pressure source in fluid communication with the inflatable tip for expanding the inflatable tip within the aperture and 
 a stabilizing device in the form of an inflatable bag positionable above the container for stabilizing the container with respect to a horizontal surface.